Safeguard B: Transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account national legislation and sovereignty

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REDD+ activities promote and support transparent and effective national forest and land use governance structures

  • Information about REDD+ strategies, plans and activities is publicly accessible
  • Finances related to REDD+ strategies, plans and activities are managed with integrity, transparency and accountability
  • Grievance mechanisms are established and functional for REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
  • Governance structures for REDD+ strategies, plans and activities are clearly defined, transparent, effective and accountable
  • REDD+ strategies, plans and activities promote and support law enforcement and avoid corruption
  • Uganda’s policies, laws and regulations provide enabling conditions for REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
  1. The following structures that provided platforms for engaging forestry stakeholders from government institutions, academia, CSOs, NGOs, indigenous people, private sector, cultural institutions, and individual experts ensured transparent and effective engagement of forestry stakeholders
    • REDD+ Steering Committee
    • National Technical Committee
    • Taskforces
  2. The REDD+ process involved establishment of and consultations with “Participatory” Structures at subnational levels (Districts) and for forest dependent people. Consultations were preceded by capacity building on issues of REDD+.
  3. REDD+ Process engaged a vibrant communication and outreach mechanisms by the REDD+ Secretariat and through print and audio media platforms. This effort included disclosure processes via websites, workshops /meeting and dissemination of published materials.
  4. The development and approval of REDD+ Strategy and implementation frameworks (BSA, FGRM, ESMF, SIS, etc.) were developed with sufficient consultations and inputs by stakeholders at national and subnational levels. The REDD+ Strategy was reviewed and approved through the stashed mechanisms, involving the Steering Committee and decisions making processes under the Lead ministry.

Relevant Ugandan policies, laws and regulations

Uganda has a number of policies, laws and regulations
that provide for transparent and effective national forest
governance structures including:

  • The Constitution of Uganda (1995)
  • The Right of Access to Information Act (2005)
  • National Forestry and Tree Planting Act (2003)
  • The Uganda Wildlife Act (2019)
  • The Access to Information Regulations (2011)
  • The Anti-Corruption Act (2009)
  • The Whistle-blowers Protection Act (2010)
  • The Anti-Money Laundering Act (2013)
  • The Leadership Code Act (2002)
  • Land Act (Cap 227)
  • Local Council Courts Act (2006)
  • Judicature Act (Cap 13)
  • Magistrates Courts Act (Cap 16)
  • Arbitration and Conciliation Act (Cap 4)
  • Equal Opportunities Commission Act (2007)
  • Public Finance Management Act (2015)
  • The National Gender Policy for Uganda (2005
  • The Domestic Violence Act (2010)
  • The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (2010)
  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979)
  • The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003)
  • Criminal Procedure Code Act (Cap 116)
  • The Trial on Indictments Act (Cap 23)

Recommendations

  • Amend the land law and remove the legal recognition to multiple interests over the same piece of land.
  • Amend Right of Access to Information Act (2005) and the Access to Information Regulations (2011) to remove unnecessary and unconstitutional restrictions to access to public information.